I grab a Mountain Dew and close the refrigerator again. “Haddy likes coffee in the morning, and so does Gina. I guess I figured you would, too.”
Her head tilts to the side, and she gives me that warm smile that makes my insides light up. “Thank you, Maverick.”
A tone is in her voice I don’t remember from before. It’s warm and womanly, appreciative in a way that gives me very inappropriate thoughts. Like what else she might thank me for with trembling thighs and sweat on her skin.
I gotta stop doing that or I’ll be back in the refrigerator.
“I guess if we’re going to be sharing a space and meals, we should lay some ground rules.” I lean against the ceramic tile counter, facing her.
“Ground rules?” Her brows rise. “Like what, for instance?”
“Well, for starters, like what do you eat for breakfast?”
Her expression relaxes, and she points to the mug. “Coffee… Then, I usually just grab a cup of yogurt or a banana. I’m not much of a breakfast eater.”
I hold up the sausage, egg, and cheese burrito I nuked this morning. “These are in the freezer if you change your mind. What about dinner?”
“I’m not much of a cook.” She makes a cringe face, looking up at the cabinets. “I guess if I need to make dinner one night, I can figure something out? Let’s see… What do you have?”
She opens the cabinet door, but her head only reaches the first shelf. Leaning back, she stretches her body like she’s trying to get taller before quickly stepping forward and attempting to jump onto the counter.
“Oh… whooah!” She totally misses and almost falls, but I dive forward to catch her by the waist, steadying her to her feet.
“What are you doing?”
“Demonstrating my balancing skills. Call me Grace.”
“Here’s another rule, no climbing on the counters.”
“Since you’re as tall as a peach tree now…” She points overhead. “Stretch those branches and hand me down that box of mac and cheese.”
My branches, I chuckle. “You love those peach trees.”
“I’m the Lorax.” Her eyes sparkle, and my stomach tightens.She remembered. “And I saw you on a billboard driving in. You’re a star!”
“I don’t know if I’d go that far…”
“It makes total sense. You were always the center of attention.” Her eyes drift down my body. “Do you get up every morning, look in the mirror and go, ‘Nailed it!’?”
“No.” Prickly heat itches up my neck again.Again! How does she do this to me?
“Are you blushing, Maverick Murphy?” Her teasing toneonly makes it worse. “Aunt Dolly said, ‘Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars!’”
My eyes narrow. “Did Aunt Dolly say that?”
“I’m not sure. Either way, it’s a good motto, especially for someone like you.”
“Keep reaching for myself?”
She ducks forward, snorting. “I guess if you’re going through a dry spell?” Her eyes roll as she taps a slim finger on her chin. “Maybe it’s a better motto for me?”
“I wouldn’t mind that.” I grin at the thought of her reaching for me.
“I’ll workshop it.” She shifts gears, moving us away from the potential awkwardness. “Remember that time we stood on the hill and looked out over the orchard?”
“How could I forget? Your grandfather’s spirit lives there.”
“Then you knocked me down with the peach basket.”
